Oh yeah, it completely renders us insane. But at least here... our insanity is celebrated. In fact, it seems almost normal to whip out a credit card for a pair or earphones I had no intention of buying only a few minutes before

Yeah, I'm part of the insane crew. These seem like they'll be so good that I don't even care that I missed out on the Livesearch deal.... I truly don't care that I paid full price. How insane is that?

What? Thats around $240 for a pair, fantastic! I should've waited a little longer...

You're not alone freeone-j, in case having company helps. I popped off with my CC the minute I received word of availability from ES. Didn't even know about their ebay store, or the LiveSearch 30% off. Ah well, now I do, and I plan to take advantage of that with the HearYourself C-3 and the upgraded Zero DAC.

Awesome review vorlon1!!! Mine were supposed to arrive on Friday...sighs, I'm like totally missing out these past 2 days! >=0 Well at least I get them first thing tomorrow morning ha! There's only 4 days left till my birthday when I become 16, what a great birthday present. Btw, even though I live in Canada, I got them for $339USD from a certain dealer. =]

Well let's not put it that way. The case is hampering the connection not the W3. The W3 was designed to work with all portable devices. iPods are what most of us in the office use.

I'm talking about not havng a mic built into the cable, or having the option of pausing/advancing to next track without using the touch screen. I use mine walking, and the Griffin iTalk makes any IEM/portable phone into an iPhone/Touch cable. I know it works, I just meant, isn't it a pain to use the phones without the ability to talk/call, or advance/pause tracks?

Wow, really? You're converting some favourites to FLAC? Which dap will you use the files with? The Sony, Zune and iPod Touch don't support FLAC, I don't think.

The Clips do. I have two Clips, 1 and 2GB. I can convert batches of files, then move them on and off as I want. Just for very specific artists, mind you. Most of my tracks are going to stay at 192-320k. Just wanted the option to hear some of my older favorites unadulterated in a lossless format. Not too much effort, really, converting like 20-30 CDs in all.

I'm talking about not havng a mic built into the cable, or having the option of pausing/advancing to next track without using the touch screen. I use mine walking, and the Griffin iTalk makes any IEM/portable phone into an iPhone/Touch cable. I know it works, I just meant, isn't it a pain to use the phones without the ability to talk/call, or advance/pause tracks?

The beauty of the iTalk mic/button extension is that it has minimal if any impact on the sound quality of the Westone 3. The sucky part is being like 3-foot long or something, and needing to keep it twisty tied in a short bundle so you don't have a cable that you can keep stepping on.

BTW, My REVIEW is 90% done with an impending deposit of said review sometime tonight! With un-boxing photos from last Tuesday...

I just got sucked into the Vortex. However, with all coupons applied - $240.00 total through ebay. Not bad considering I was willing to pony up the full price a week ago. Wife thinks I am nuts considering I just purchased the UM2 about three months ago. Oh well, now I have a pair to cut the grass in and a pair for serious listening.

Awesome review vorlon1!!! Mine were supposed to arrive on Friday...sighs, I'm like totally missing out these past 2 days! >=0 Well at least I get them first thing tomorrow morning ha! There's only 4 days left till my birthday when I become 16, what a great birthday present. Btw, even though I live in Canada, I got them for $339USD from a certain dealer. =]

Congratulations to a fellow Sagittarian on your purchase, and happy birthday.

The beauty of the iTalk mic/button extension is that it has minimal if any impact on the sound quality of the Westone 3. The sucky part is being like 3-foot long or something, and needing to keep it twisty tied in a short bundle so you don't have a cable that you can keep stepping on.

BTW, My REVIEW is 90% done with an impending deposit of said review sometime tonight! With un-boxing photos from last Tuesday...

Agree, but since I only have the Touch, I have it all rolled up, so it's very short, maybe 4-5 extra inches. If I had to use the mic, it would be a pain, I agree.